NCAA's A Joke, Kobe's Career Up In Smoke

NCAA Bowl GamesThe NCAA stands for Not Counting At All. Have you seen just how many Bowl Games there are these days? How many of them actually count for something? Maybe two? Of all the NCAA sports, this is the only one that doesn't have some sort of playoff system.

Until a post-season system is in place, these games will remain a joke. Think about it; a computer has the final say on who the National Champion will be. When USC is left out of the mix despite the fact they are number one, it's time to change the system.

I understand that the games still get big ratings even for the useless ones (by the way, we have no one to blame but ourselves), but shouldn't champions be decided on the field rather than in a computer room? At any rate, let the Bowl Games begin!

Monday Night PreviewWith the Green Bay Packers needing this win to get into the post season, look for them to play hard at Oakland. The Raiders are coming off an impressive win at home against the Ravens, limiting Baltimore to 12 points, proving they still have enough talent to beat most teams.

The Packers beat up on the Chargers last week and stay on the West Coast to face Oakland. Brett Favre is looking like the QB that won the MVP award a few times, so expect this one to be all Green Bay.

Ahman Green should be able to run through the Raider defensive line. Expect this one to be high scoring, as neither defense is particularly stellar. I see a 27-14 win for the Packers, allowing Green Bay to cover the four-point spread.

MLB wheeling & dealingWell, it certainly was a shocker to see the Expos land Carl Everett after losing Vladimir Guerrero. What's even more shocking is that Everett signed for about $6 million less than he earned in 2003. This is a clear sign that owners are finally exercising self-restraint when it comes to spending on free agents.

Meanwhile, with A-Rod apparently going to Beantown, look for the Yankees to acquire another big name to keep pace. After signing Sheffield, New York will be even more explosive than they were last year.

Speaking of Sheffield, the Braves replaced his bat adequately by trading for J.D. Drew. The oft-injured Drew has all the potential in the world. If he stays healthy, Drew could approach the numbers that Sheffield puts up.

Elsewhere, the Marlins let go of a couple of their championship stars, but will be in the market for replacements. Will they repeat as champs? Not on your life! In fact, I bet they won't even finish in the top three in their own division!

On to the NFL wildcard, Will "The Thrill" Clark, and the top 7 ways some athletes might spend New Year's Eve...